Runner up Paul Foubister, while sponsor Thorfinn Craigie presents the cup to winner Bruce Moar.
The fourth of this season's seven ranking points competitions took place in the Tankerness Hall on Friday evening, a great venue and a change from the usual venues. With a licenced bar supplied by Tasmin Learmonth, the suitably refreshed players were well set up for a good competition.
For once, the randomised computer draw didn't throw up too many big games early on, Bruce Moar's win over Erland Ritch being one of few exceptions to that. Making big waves in the ranking points table this year is relative newcomer Ross MacPherson. Having defeated the in-form Stevie Garner in a previous cup, he set about dispatching Kenny Gunn, Gary Wilson and Erlend Lennie with a display of solid scoring and composed finishing which belied his lack of experience. His run ended in the quarter-finals where he took Ian Linklater to the wire but eventually lost out.
Meeting Ian in the first semi-final was Bruce Moar, who has also been a star performer this year. He had some tough matches on his run, ending the hopes of another 'B' league player who had made the quarters, Robbie Scott, along the way. A 4-2 scoreline in favour of Bruce saw him progress to the final at Ian's expense.
The recently bespectacled Paul Foubister was responding to his new visual prowess as he lined up against the KDDL's main man Kevin Gray, who was somewhat fortunate to have scraped through to the semi-finals, although his path there was decidedly tough. Another 4-2 scoreline ensued, with Paul winning through to his first final in a couple of years.
With the storm beginning to rage outside, it was Paul who thundered to the first leg, finding his scoring form right from the off. Bruce responded in kind, taking the second leg to equalise before really starting to find his scoring range. Paul banged in a 180 in the third but Bruce took that leg, before hitting a max of his own as he took the fourth. As Bruce grew in confidence, Paul looked a defeated man and his darts started to wander as his scoring fell away. Bruce soon made in 4-1 before wrapping up the title with a 5-1 win. After many seasons without a trophy, Bruce now has one win in each of the last two, highlighting how much he has improved of late.
Thorfinn Craigie presented the trophy on behalf of the Craigie family, saying how good it was to see the local hall so full for a competition like this.
Next week it is the turn of the 'B' league players to try and earn points towards the 'B' intercounty match, with the 'B' league doubles taking place in the Masonic. With a lot of experienced players now competing in the 'B' league, and an awful lot of youngsters showing some real promise, it will be anyone's guess who will come out on top.
180s were scored by: Ben Hogan, Gavin Linklater, Gordy Rendall, Wayne Monkman, Kenny Gunn, Erlend Lennie, Brian Moar, David Shearer, Robbie Scott, Wayne Small, Ross MacPherson, Steven Tulloch, Ryan Tulloch, Martin Peace, Alan Findlay, Gary Wilson, Stevie Garner, Jamie Drever, Erland Ritch, Brett Dickinson, Robbie Norquoy, Paul Foubister, James Flett (two), Bruce Moar (two), Leigh Shearer (two), Ian Linklater (two) and Kevin Gray (four). Wilfie Tulloch had a score of 171.
High Checkouts: Andrew Green 104, Paul Foubister 106, Bruce Moar 110, James Flett 115, David Shearer 116, Brett Dickinson 118, Erland Ritch 130, Leigh Shearer 137, Ross MacPherson (114, 151) and Brian Moar (140, 160).
Short Legs: Kevin Gray/Wayne Monkman 15, Wayne Monkman 15, Stevie Linklater 15, Jamie Drever 15, Kevin Sarling 14, Kenny Gunn 14, Ray Butcher 14, Erlend Lennie 14, Erland Ritch 12, Kevin Gray (15, 15) and Paul Foubister (15, 14).
Results:
'A' League:
Ale Stars 9, Muppets 3
OGC 4, Legion 8
Exiles 9, Tankerness 3
'B' League:
Wanderers 8, The Toonies 4
Murray Arms 7, Vikings 5
Young Loons 8, Shandy Bass 4
EMYFC 0, Bilco Boys 12
Rough 'n' Rowdy 3, Sands 9
E.R & T. Craigie Cup: Bruce Moar 5, Paul Foubister 1
Fixtures:
'A' League:
Ale Stars v Legion
OGC v Untouchables
Muppets v Exiles
Sanday v Tankerness
'B' League:
Young Loons v The Toonies
Quoyburray 'B' v Vikings
EMYFC v Shandy Bass
Bilco Boys v Quoyburray
Murray Arms v Sands
Rough 'n' Rowdy v Wanderers
Friday January 31, 'B' League Doubles ('B' ranking), Masonic, 7.30pm
Friday February 7, Taylor Singles (Ranking), Legion, 7.30pm